Method, apparatus, and program for automated property adjustment in a cellular network

ABSTRACT

A mechanism is provided for detecting when a wireless device is entering a quiet zone. An out-of-range condition is created in an entryway to a quiet zone. When a wireless device is in a transition zone, the device transmits a re-scan message with a unit identification in an attempt to reestablish communication with the communication tower. A re-scan receiver is provided in the entryway to receive re-scan messages and notify a mobile telephone switching office that the device is entering a quiet zone. The switching office then sends a ring type modifier property to the device when the device leaves the transition zone and reestablishes communications with the communication tower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to wireless devices and, inparticular, to wireless devices in a cellular network. Still moreparticularly, the present invention provides a method, apparatus, andprogram for adjusting properties of a wireless device in a cellularnetwork.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Wireless devices, and in particular cellular telephones, can bean intrusion in certain situations. More specifically, there are manysituations or locations in which an audible ring is inappropriate. Forexample, an audible wireless telephone ring may be quite a distractionduring a wedding, a movie, a concert, a lecture, or a conference.

[0005] Typically, an individual would turn the telephone off or switchthe ring to a silent mode, such as a vibrating ring. However, thismethod is flawed because the individual may easily forget to turn off orsilence the wireless telephone.

[0006] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a mechanism forautomatically change the properties of a wireless device when entering aquiet zone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a mechanism for detecting when awireless device is entering a quiet zone. An out-of-range condition iscreated in an entryway to a quiet zone. This condition may be created byshielding the entryway to prevent the wireless device from communicatingwith the cellular communication tower. Alternatively, a short-rangesignal jammer may be provided in the entryway or a combination of ashielded entryway with a short-range signal jammer may be used. When thewireless device is in the transition zone, the device transmits are-scan message with a unit identification in an attempt to reestablishcommunication with the communication tower. A re-scan receiver isprovided in the entryway to receive re-scan messages and notify a mobiletelephone switching office that the device is entering a quiet zone. Theswitching office then sends a ring type modifier property to the devicewhen the device leaves the transition zone and reestablishescommunications with the communication tower. The ring type modifier mayset the wireless device into a silent mode, such as a vibrating ringer.Alternatively, the wireless device may be setup to forward calls tovoice mail. A quiet mode time-out duration may be set as the user entersquiet zones that have multiple exits allowing a user to leave the zonewithout passing a re-scan receiver.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention areset forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as wellas a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a property adjustmentsystem in a cellular network in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention;

[0011]FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams depicting wireless devices traversingzones in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0012]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a wireless telephone device that may beused in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of a signal jammer inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of a re-scan receiver inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of a wireless device inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of a re-scan receiver inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0017]FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a mobiletelephone switching office in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a pictorialrepresentation of a property adjustment system in a cellular network inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Property adjustment system 100 is a network of devices in which thepresent invention may be implemented. Property adjustment system 100contains telephone network 110 and communications network 120, which arethe media used to provide communications links between various devicesand computers connected together within property adjustment system 100.Telephone network 110 and communications network 120 may includeconnections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber opticcables.

[0019] In the depicted example, telephone network 110 is connected tocellular communications tower 116. The cellular communications towercommunicates with wireless devices, such as wireless telephones 112,114. Transition zone 104 is formed using a signal weakening mechanism,such as shielding 108, short-range signal jammer 102, or a combinationof the two. As shown in FIG. 1, wireless device 112 is within thetransition zone. Therefore, the signal between wireless device 112 andcellular communications tower 116 may be weakened or blocked by thesignal weakening mechanism. When wireless device 112 is in thetransition zone, the device re-scans channels by transmitting a re-scanmessage with a unit identification (ID) in an attempt to reestablishcommunication with the communication tower.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the signal isweakened to the point that the device will attempt a re-scan to find achannel with a stronger signal. However, if a person is carrying on aconversation, the signal may be sufficient to maintain the conversation.The short-range signal jammer may also weaken all channels except forthe channels to which the re-scan device listens.

[0021] Re-scan receiver 106 is provided in the entryway to receivere-scan messages. Receiver 106 then notifies mobile telephone switchingoffice (MTSO) computer 118 that the device is entering a quiet zone. Thereceiver may accomplish this notification by sending a zone changemessage including the unit ID, a zone ID, and/or one or more predefinedproperties for the zone. In this example, the receiver initiates a quietmode for the device. The next time wireless telephone 112 establishescommunication with tower 116, the MTSO may modify the properties of thedevice. For example, the MTSO may send a ring type modifier (RTM)message to the wireless device. Preferably, the properties may beadjusted the next time a call comes for the wireless device. In otherwords, an RTM message may be sent with each call, the RTM depending uponthe zone properties.

[0022] Receiver 106 may communicate with the MTSO through acommunications network, such as network 120. Alternatively, the receivermay communicate with the MTSO computer by other means, such as through adial-up connection (not shown). The receiver may communicate with aplurality of MTSOs for different wireless communications companies.However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thereceiver sends a zone change message to a central third-party service122, which has handles communication of zone change messages to variousMTSOs. For example, third-party service computer 122 may receive zonechange messages via network 120 or by other means, such as directdial-up connections (not shown). Similarly, third-party service 122 mayforward zone change messages to various MTSOs via network 120 or byother means.

[0023] The wireless device is programmed to receive an RTM message andadjust properties accordingly. For example, wireless telephone 112 mayreceive an RTM message that modifies the ring to “vibrate” mode. Inresponse to this message, the wireless device will set the ringproperties for all calls to “vibrate.” Therefore, the user may receivecalls without disturbing neighboring people.

[0024] As stated above, the RTM is preferably set on a call-by-callbasis. Therefore, if an emergency call is received at the MTSO, the MTSOmay adjust the ring type to an audible ring for the emergency call toensure that the user receives the call. If the wireless device is notcapable of adjusting properties responsive to an RTM message, the MTSOmay route all calls to the user's voice mail while the device is in aquiet zone.

[0025] When a user leaves a quiet zone, the user may exit through thesame entryway or transition zone. Thus, when wireless telephone 112enters transition zone 104 at the end of an event, such as a conferenceor movie, receiver 106 may be programmed to send a zone change messageto MTSO to return the device to a set of default properties. Thereceiver may be programmed to send the appropriate zone change messageby a switch or the like. Alternatively, the receiver may be programmedby a remote device through, for example, communications network 120.

[0026] A quiet mode time-out duration may be set in the MTSO as the userenters a quiet zone. Therefore, if the user leaves the quiet zonewithout passing the re-scan receiver, the MTSO may return the device tothe default properties when the time-out duration expires.

[0027] Property adjustment system 100 may include additional servers,clients, and other devices not shown. In the depicted example, propertyadjustment system 100 is implemented within the Internet with network120 representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways thatuse the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suiteof protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of theInternet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines betweenmajor nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial,government, educational and other computer systems that route data andmessages. Of course, property adjustment system 100 also may beimplemented using a number of different types of networks, such as forexample, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network(WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as an architecturallimitation for the present invention.

[0028] With reference now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, diagrams depictingwireless devices traversing zones are shown in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2A, wirelessdevice 232 travels from default zone 220, through transition zone 210,to quiet zone 230. Transition zone 210 is established by signalweakening mechanism 212, which may be, for example, a shielded entryway,a signal jammer, or a combination of the two. Wireless device 222travels from quiet zone 230, through transition zone 210, to defaultzone 220.

[0029] Receiver 214 receives re-scan messages from wireless devices.However, as shown in FIG. 2A, wireless devices may be traveling ineither direction. If the owner of a wireless device enters thetransition zone from the default zone, turns around, and exits back intothe default zone, the receiver may still send a zone change message tothe MTSO.

[0030]FIG. 2B shows a transition zone with two directional receivers,re-scan receiver 252 and re-scan receiver 254. Re-scan receiver 252receives re-scan messages as wireless device 222 exits transition zone210 into the default zone. Re-scan receiver 254 receives re-scanmessages as wireless device 232 exits transition zone 210 into the quietzone.

[0031] The MTSO may receive zone change messages from each receiver as awireless device passes each receiver. The MTSO may then process thelater of the two zone change messages. Alternatively, directionalreceivers 252, 254 may be connected to a controller that coordinates there-scan messages and sends the appropriate zone change message to theMTSO. Thus, if re-scan messages for a device are received by receiver252 and then receiver 254, controller 256 may determine that thewireless device is entering the quiet zone. On the other hand, ifre-scan messages are received by receiver 254 and then receiver 252,controller 256 may determine that the wireless device is entering thedefault zone.

[0032]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a wireless telephone device that may beused in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Turning now toFIG. 3A, a wireless telephone device 300 is shown in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. Wireless telephone 300includes speaker 302, microphone 304, display 306, and keypad 316.Wireless telephone 300 also includes antenna 320 for communication withthe nearest base station. Wireless telephone 300 may include otherfeatures common to mobile telephones, such as function buttons, cursorcontrol buttons, scroll wheels, and caller ID.

[0033] With reference now to FIG. 3B, a block diagram of a hardwareconfiguration of a telephone device is depicted in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. Telephone device 350includes a processor 352 for controlling operation of the telephonedevice and a memory 354. The processor may be a general-purposemicroprocessor operating under the control of instructions stored amemory, such as memory 354, or device-specific circuitry for controllingthe operation of the telephone device. Processor 352 is connected bysystem bus 356 to transmitter 358, receiver 360, keypad 364, display366, and audio processor 368. Keypad 364 may be keypad 318 in FIG. 3A.Display 366 may be display 306 in FIG. 3A. Display 366 may be a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or other known display, such as an active matrixdisplay.

[0034] Transmitter 358 and receiver 360 are coupled to a telephonesignal by couple 374 to provide full duplex communication. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention, the telephone signal isprovided by an antenna, such as antenna 320 in FIG. 3A, in a wirelesstelephone. Audio processing circuit 368 provides basic analog audiooutputs to speaker 370 and accepts analog audio inputs from microphone372. Received signals are demodulated and decoded by receiver 360.Transmitter 358 encodes and modulates signals passed to it by processor352 or audio processor 368. The output of the transmitter is amplifiedby power amplifier 362 to control the power level at which the signal istransmitted.

[0035] Processor 352 is programmed to send a re-scan when a signal froma communications tower or base station is lost. Processor 352 is alsoprogrammed to receive a RTM message and adjust ring type or otherproperties in accordance with the RTM message. As stated above, a RTMmessage may be received when a communication session with a tower orbase station is reestablished or when a call is received.

[0036] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thehardware depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B may vary. For example, telephonedevice 300 may include a vibrating mechanism to generate a vibrationpattern as a ring. Telephone device 350 may also be configured tocommunicate other information, such as World Wide Web content, anddisplay such content on display 366. The telephone device may alsoprovide other functions, such as calender/scheduling, word processing,e-mail, and games.

[0037]FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of a signal jammer inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Signaljammer 400 includes controller 402, communications adapter 404, antennaadapter 406, and signal jamming module 408. The elements 402-408 may beimplemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. In a preferred embodiment, the elements 404-408 areimplemented as software instructions executed by one or more processors.

[0038] The elements 402-408 are coupled to one another via thecontrol/data signal bus 420. Although a bus architecture is shown inFIG. 4, the present invention is not limited to such. Rather, anyarchitecture that facilitates the communication of control/data signalsbetween elements 402-408 may be used without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. The controller 402 controls theoverall operation of the signal jammer and orchestrates the operation ofthe other elements 404-408.

[0039] With the operation of the present invention, signal jammingmodule 408 instructs controller 402 to transmit a signal via antennaadapter 406 to disrupt or jam communications between wireless devicesand their respective cellular communications towers and/or basestations. Controller 402 may also operate under the control of anotherdevice by receiving instructions or messages through communicationsadapter 404, which may be, for example, a network adapter, a modem, aserial port, or the like.

[0040]FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of a re-scan receiver inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Re-scanreceiver 500 includes controller 502, communications adapter 504,antenna adapter 506, and property adjustment module 508. The elements502-508 may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination ofhardware and software. In a preferred embodiment, the elements 504-508are implemented as software instructions executed by one or moreprocessors.

[0041] The elements 502-508 are coupled to one another via thecontrol/data signal bus 520. Although a bus architecture is shown inFIG. 5, the present invention is not limited to such. Rather, anyarchitecture that facilitates the communication of control/data signalsbetween elements 502-508 may be used without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. The controller 502 controls theoverall operation of the re-scan receiver and orchestrates the operationof the other elements 504-508.

[0042] With the operation of the present invention, property adjustmentmodule 508 instructs controller 502 to detect re-scan signals ormessages via antenna adapter 506 and to generate a zone change messagefor a wireless device identified in the re-scan message. Propertyadjustment module 508 then instructs controller 502 to send the re-scanmessage to an MTSO or third-party service via communications adapter504, which may be, for example, a network adapter, a modem, a serialport, or the like.

[0043] Controller 502 may also operate under the control of anotherdevice by receiving instructions or messages through communicationsadapter 504. For example, the re-scan receiver may be instructed togenerate zone change messages for a quiet zone before an event and thenfor a default zone at the end of the event. Zone properties may be setby an external device through communications adapter 504.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 6, a flowchart of the operation of awireless device is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention. The process begins and a determination is madeas to whether an exit condition exists (step 602). An exit condition mayexist, for example, if the wireless device is powered down. If an exitcondition exists, the process ends.

[0045] If an exit condition does not exist in step 602, a determinationis made as to whether an incoming call is received (step 604). If anincoming call is received, the process receives a ring type modifiermessage (step 606) and sets the properties in accordance with the ringtype modifier message (step 608). Next, a determination is made as towhether a signal is established between the wireless device and acommunications tower or base station (step 610). If an incoming call isnot received in step 604, the process proceeds to step 610 to determinewhether a signal is established between the wireless device and acommunications tower or base station.

[0046] A separate ring type modifier message may be associated with eachindividual call. Therefore, an emergency call may be associated with aring type modifier message that sets the ring type to an audible ring.Thus, steps 606 and 608 may be performed for each call received while ina quiet zone. In an alternative embodiment, the ring type modifiermessage may be received in step 606 when the wireless devicereestablishes a signal with the tower or base station.

[0047] If a signal is established in step 610, the process returns tostep 602 to determine whether an exit condition exists. If the signal islost in step 610, the process sends a re-scan message (step 612) in anattempt to reestablish communication with the tower or base station.

[0048] Next, a determination is made as to whether an exit conditionexists (step 614). If an exit condition exists, the process ends. If,however, an exit condition does not exist in step 614, a determinationis made as to whether a signal is established between the wirelessdevice and a communications tower or base station (step 616). If asignal is not yet reestablished, the process returns to step 612 to senda re-scan message in an attempt to reestablish communication with thetower or base station. If a signal is reestablished in step 616, theprocess returns to step 602 to determine whether an exit conditionexists.

[0049] With reference now to FIG. 7, a flowchart of the operation of are-scan receiver is illustrated in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. The process begins and adetermination is made as to whether an exit condition exists (step 702).An exit condition may exist, for example, if the re-scan receiver ispowered down. If an exit condition exists, the process ends.

[0050] If an exit condition does not exist in step 702, a determinationis made as to whether a re-scan message is received (step 704). If are-scan message is received, the process sends a zone change message,with a unit ID from the re-scan message, to a server, such as the mobiletelephone switching office server or a server associated with athird-party service (step 706). Thereafter, the process returns to step702 to determine whether an exit condition exists. If a re-scan messageis not received in step 704, the process returns to step 702 todetermine whether an exit condition exists.

[0051] Turning now to FIG. 8, a flowchart illustrating the operation ofa mobile telephone switching office is shown in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. The process begins andreceives a zone change message with a unit ID (step 802). Adetermination is made as to whether the wireless device associated withthe unit ID is enabled for ring type modifiers (step 804).

[0052] If the wireless device is not RTM enabled, the process beginsforwarding calls for the device to voice mail (step 806). If thewireless device is RTM enabled in step 804, the process determines aring type modifier based on the user ID and/or the zone the device isentering (step 808). A determination is made as to whether the RTM isset to forward calls to voice mail (step 810).

[0053] Certain zones may be configured such that the RTM is set to voicemail for the zone. For example, an employer may wish to ensure that allemployees attending a conference or meeting pay attention rather thananswering telephone calls, even if the ring type is set to “vibrate”mode. In such a case the receiver in the entryway may be programmed tosend a zone change message that indicates that the RTM should be set tovoice mail.

[0054] If the RTM is set to forward calls to voice mail, the operationproceeds to step 806 to forward calls to voice mail. If the RTM is notset to forward calls to voice mail in step 810, a determination is madeas to whether the device is in the quiet zone (step 812). In otherwords, the process determines whether the device has left the shieldedentryway and reestablished communications with the communications toweror base station.

[0055] If the device is not yet in the quiet zone, the process returnsto step 812 to repeat this determination. If, however, the device hasentered the quiet zone, the process sends an RTM message to the device(step 812). The RTM message may be sent when the wireless devicereestablishes a signal with the tower or base station. Alternatively,the ring type modifier message may be associated with an individualcall. Therefore, an emergency call may be associated with a ring typemodifier message that sets the ring type to an audible ring. Thus, step814 may be performed for each call received while in a quiet zone.

[0056] After the process has begun forwarding calls to voice mail instep 806 or the RTM message is sent to the wireless device in step 814,the process starts a timer (step 816). If the device leaves the quietzone without passing a re-scan receiver, the process may return thedevice to the default properties when the time-out duration expires.

[0057] Next, a determination is made as to whether the device enters adefault zone (step 818). This may be determined by a subsequent zonechange message from the re-scan receiver or by receiving a zone changemessage from a directional re-scan receiver that indicates the device isleaving a quiet zone and entering a default zone. If the processdetermines that the device has entered a default zone, the processreturns the device to the default ring type with a RTM message (step820). Then, the process ends.

[0058] If the process determines that the device has not entered adefault zone in step 818, a determination is made as to whether thetimer is expired (step 822). If the timer is not expired, the processreturns to step 818 to determine whether the device has entered adefault zone. If, however, the timer is expired in step 822, operationproceeds to step 820 to return the device to the default ring type andthe process ends.

[0059] Thus, the present invention solves the disadvantages of the priorart by providing a mechanism for automatically adjusting the propertiesof a wireless device as the device enters a predetermined quiet zone. Anentryway is configured to block the signal to the wireless device, thuscreating a transition zone within the entryway. Responsive to a re-scanmessage, a receiver within the transition zone sends a zone changemessage to a mobile telephone switching office. The mobile telephoneswitching office may then adjust a ring type modifier or other propertyfor the wireless device when communications with the device arereestablished.

[0060] It is important to note that while the present invention has beendescribed in the context of a fully functioning data processing system,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes ofthe present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of acomputer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and thatthe present invention applies equally regardless of the particular typeof signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution.Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media, suchas a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, andtransmission-type media, such as digital and analog communicationslinks, wired or wireless communications links using transmission forms,such as, for example, radio frequency and light wave transmissions. Thecomputer readable media may take the form of coded formats that aredecoded for actual use in a particular data processing system.

[0061] The description of the present invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention, the practical application, andto enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand theinvention for various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for adjusting properties of a wirelessdevice, comprising: responsive to the wireless device entering acontrolled area, emitting a re-scan signal; receiving a propertymodifier; and adjusting a property of the wireless device based on theproperty modifier.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the propertymodifier is a ring type modifier.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theproperty modifier is associated with an incoming call.
 4. A method foradjusting properties of a wireless device, comprising: responsive to awireless device entering a controlled area, causing the wireless deviceto emit a re-scan signal; identifying a device identifier from there-scan signal; and sending a zone change message including the deviceidentifier to a computer, wherein the zone change message indicates thatthe wireless device is entering a zone.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the zone change message includes a zone identifier.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the zone change message includes a propertyfor the zone.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the property is a ringtype.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the computer is located at oneof a mobile telephone switching office and a third-party service.
 9. Amethod for adjusting a property of a wireless device, comprising:responsive to a wireless device entering a controlled area causing thewireless device to emit a re-scan signal, receiving a zone changemessage including a device identifier; determining a property for thewireless device based on the zone change message; and sending to thewireless device a property modifier for changing the property of thedevice.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the zone change messageincludes a zone identifier and wherein the step of determining aproperty includes determining the property based on the zone identifier.11. The method of claim 9, wherein the zone change message includes aproperty for the zone.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step ofsending to the device a property modifier includes: receiving a call forthe wireless device; determining a property modifier for the call;associating the property modifier with the call; and directing the callto wireless device.
 13. A wireless device, comprising: means, responsiveto the wireless device entering a controlled area, for emitting are-scan signal; means for receiving a property modifier; and means foradjusting a property of the wireless device based on the propertymodifier.
 14. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the propertymodifier is a ring type modifier.
 15. The wireless device of claim 13,wherein the property modifier is associated with an incoming call.
 16. Are-scan receiver, in a controlled area, for adjusting properties of awireless device, comprising: means for receiving a re-scan signal from awireless device responsive to the wireless device emitting the re-scansignal when entering the controlled area; means for identifying a deviceidentifier from the re-scan signal; and means for sending a zone changemessage including the device identifier to a computer, wherein the zonechange message indicates that the wireless device is entering a zone.17. The re-scan receiver of claim 16, wherein the zone change messageincludes a zone identifier.
 18. The re-scan receiver of claim 16,wherein the zone change message includes a property for the zone. 19.The re-scan receiver of claim 18, wherein the property is a ring type.20. An apparatus for adjusting a property of a wireless device,comprising: receipt means, responsive to a wireless device entering acontrolled area causing the wireless device to emit a re-scan signal,for receiving a zone change message including a device identifier;determination means for determining a property for the wireless devicebased on the zone change message; and sending means for sending to thewireless device a property modifier for changing the property of thewireless device.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the zone changemessage includes a zone identifier and wherein the determination meansincludes means for determining the property based on the zoneidentifier.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the zone changemessage includes a property for the zone.
 23. The apparatus of claim 20,wherein the sending means includes: means for receiving a call for thewireless device; means for determining a property modifier for the call;means for associating the property modifier with the call; and means fordirecting the call to wireless device.
 24. A property adjustment system,comprising: a signal weakening mechanism, wherein the signal weakeningmechanism weakens cellular communications signals in a transition zone,causing a wireless device to emit a re-scan signal; a re-scan receiverlocated in the transition zone, wherein the re-scan receiver sends azone change message in response to receiving the re-scan signal, whereinthe zone change message includes a device identifier; and a computer,wherein the computer sends a property modifier to the wireless deviceresponsive to receiving the zone change message.
 25. The propertyadjustment system of claim 24, wherein the signal weakening mechanism isone of shielding and a short-range signal jammer.
 26. The propertyadjustment system of claim 24, wherein the re-scan receiver is a firstdirectional re-scan receiver that receives re-scan signals from a firstdirection, the property adjustment system further comprising: a seconddirectional re-scan receiver that receives re-scan signals from a seconddirection.
 27. The property adjustment system of claim 24, wherein thecomputer is located at one of a mobile telephone switching office and athird-party service.
 28. A computer program product, in a computerreadable medium, for adjusting a property of a wireless device,comprising: instructions for receiving a zone change message including adevice identifier, responsive to a wireless device entering a controlledarea causing the wireless device to emit a re-scan signal; instructionsfor determining a property for the wireless device based on the zonechange message; and instructions for sending to the wireless device aproperty modifier for changing the property of the wireless device.